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frostfires-blog · 6 months

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Jujutsu Kaisen Hanakotoba Analysis

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-> Black Lily

The flowers pictured in this scene are black lilies (Lilium) which are known as kuro yuri (黒百合) in Japanese. Its hanakotoba meanings are “love” and “curse”. In Western floriography, they symbolise rebirth, transformation and the appeal of the unknown. In the scene pictured above Tsumiki Fushiguro is seen surrounded by myriads of black lilies which is fitting considering she was cursed and fell into a coma. Cursed love is a significant theme in Jujutsu Kaisen, particularly in the prequel film Jujutsu Kaisen: 0. In the film, Gojo says, "Love is the most twisted curse of all." This perfectly encapsulates the symbolic meaning of the black lily.

-> Black Petunia

“Made my decision, I won't go back anymore, and I won't regret it. Watch as I change reality. Even if the truth is cruel... Catastrophe will be overwhelmed..." (Vivid Vice, Who-ya Extended)

While the flower pictured in Jujutsu Kaisen’s second opening, Vivid Vice, is often thought to be a black lily; it more closely resembles a black petunia. Petunias are known as pechunia (ペチュニア) in Japanese and hold the hanakotoba meanings of “peace of the heart” and “with you, the heart will be soft”. In Western floriography, petunias mean “your presence soothes me”. Darkness, mourning, and resentment are associated with black petunias. However, black petunias also have the enigmatic connotations of strength, mystery, and uniqueness. In the opening, a black flower, presumably a petunia opens up while a juvenile Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator) swims around it. This fish is thought to represent Junpei Yoshino while the flower is thought to represent Yuji Itadori. Additionally, throughout this Jujutsu Kaisen’s opening sequences water has been shown to represent danger and destruction. Thereby making this scene a depiction of how Yuji’s strength has blossomed because of having undergone serious loss and being nurtured by danger and destruction. Both Yuji’s background as well as the origin and full extent of his unique abilities remain shrouded in mystery. This ties in with black petunias symbolizing strength, mystery and uniqueness. In addition to this Yuji’s kindness, upbeat and easy-going personality bring a sense of reassurance to those that know him well. The other connotations of the petunia, which include "your presence soothes me," "the heart will be soft with you," and "the peace of the heart," are all related to these attributes.

-> Red Spider Lily

“Memories are fragile I have no use for yesterday So the moon is dark, twisting light Where shall I go tomorrow” (Akari, Soushi Sakiyama) “Indomitable spirit and immeasurably bottomless love and hate The everlasting half-melted life bound to the fallen” (Avant, Eve)

In Japan, red spider lilies (Lycoris radiata) are known as higanbana (彼岸花) which means autumn equinox flower. They represent sad memories, resignation, independence, lost memory, abandonment, passion and those who are never to meet again in Japanese hanakotoba. The red spider lily is also associated with death, goodbyes, rebirth and the far shore (land of the dead). The red spider lily's symbolic meaning of farewells and rebirth is embodied in classic Japanese artworks depicting mythological situations, where they are referred to as the "flowers of heaven.“ In Japan, there is a strong correlation between the Buddhist and Shinto religions and red spider lilies. These striking flowers are thought to represent rebirth and the transience of life. They are also believed to guide the deceased's spirits transition to the afterlife. They are frequently observed blossoming next to cemeteries or other holy locations. They are also thought to have protective properties that shield against negative energy and evil spirits. Red spider lilies are also thought to symbolise the boundary between life and death in Japanese culture. This is because its flowers bloom during autumnal equinox when Japanese Buddhists believe that deceased people's spirits return to the near shore (the world of the living). Some legends claim that when an individual crosses paths with someone they will never see again, red spider lilies blossom alongside their path. These legends are partly responsible for the flower's affinity with final goodbyes, in addition to its association with death and the hereafter. This flower is also regarded as a symbol of both death and rebirth and are described as the flowers that grow in hell in the Lotus Sutra. As a result of this, certain Buddhist traditions in China and Japan believe that these flowers aid spirits in crossing from the afterlife into reincarnation. The flower's sad symbolism for loss and parting is based on an ancient Chinese legend about two elves, Saka and Manju, who were the guardians of leaves and flowers, respectively. They could never meet, however, because the red spider lily never sprouts flowers and leaves at the same time. They both yearned to meet one another, and they violated the gods in order to do so. The gods punished them harshly for this and separated them for eternity. The flower is still associated with loss, both of loved ones and of memories. Despite their frequent association with death and parting, red spider lilies are also admired for their beauty and resilience. They can survive in a range of challenging environments, including rocky and riverside locations, and their vivid red hue helps them stand out against the surrounding scenery. As a result of this, these flowers can also be seen as a symbol of strength and perseverance in the face of adversity. The red spider lily also represents beauty because of its vivid, vibrant red blossoms, which give a sense of elegance. Red spider lilies are pictured in Jujutsu Kaisen’s 3rd ending theme as well as the opening credits for its mobile game, Phantom Parade. In ED3, the flowers could be a harbinger of how various characters in this arc will meet their impending deaths, separating them from everyone else. The final panel of this ending depicts Gojo and Geto walking beneath a bridge. The underbridge in the real-life location on which this scene was based is only a single-path bridge, however here the bridge splits into two opposite directions. This is similar to legends that state that when a person meets paths with someone they will never see again, crimson spider lilies bloom across their path. This alludes to how Gojo and Geto will part ways at the end of the Hidden Inventory Arc and will never walk alongside each other again. In the Phantom Parade OP, myriads of spider lilies are pictured under an ominous sky surrounding Mahito and Pseudo-Geto. The use of these flowers here foreshadows their connection with the far shore, their association with human souls and bodies, and their nefarious schemes involving carnage and death.

-> Cherry Blossom

“And now, I can only imagine my future taken away by a curse. Running and falling, embracing these wounds that won't disappear... The world awaits for this moment.” (Kaikai Kitan, Eve)

The cherry blossom (Prunus) is known as the Japanese cherry and is the unofficial national flower of Japan. Its Japanese name Sakura (桜) has been derived from the word “saku” which means “to bloom”. Its hanakotoba meanings are “beauty of spirit”, grace, chastity, excellent beauty, gentleness, good education and the “transience of life”. In Japan, cherry blossoms are also a symbol of the “beauty of impermanence”—a Shinto concept better known as “mono no aware” (物の哀れ) as their falling petals are a reminder that although life is short, it is beautiful and should be savoured. The Japanese concept of “natsukashii” (懐かしい) likewise emphasizes the fleeting nature of cherry blossoms. This concept refers to the happy-yet-wistful nostalgia for times and things that we will never be able to go back to. We will never get to experience those moments again, just like the ephemeral cherry blossoms, which makes them even more significant. Cherry blossoms bloom from March to April which is the start of the new fiscal year in Japan. As a result of this cherry blossoms have also come to symbolise new beginnings and springtime. Given that feudal Japanese soldiers associated cherry blossoms with honour, discipline, and dignity—falling flowers were thought to be symbolic of a Samurai's death. In Western floriography, cherry blossoms herald the changing of the seasons and symbolise renewal and rebirth. They also symbolise the fleeting nature of life, tenderness, forgiveness, strength, beauty, love, confidence, peace, friendship and gratitude. The Cherry Blossom's association with "happy-yet-wistful nostalgia for times and things that we will never be able to go back to" is reminiscent of both Gojo's and Yuji's carefree high school days before the Hidden Inventory Arc and Shibuya Incident respectively. The transiency of life is a central motif in Jujutsu Kaisen, as being a Jujutsu sorcerer means facing the threat of death around every turn. "No matter how many allies you have around you; when you die, you'll be alone". This line said by Gojo reinforces that one's time in life is finite and that nothing can stop death. Even if you have your loved ones with you at the time of death, they will not accompany you on your journey to the hereafter.

-> Ginkgo

In Japan, ginkgo trees (Ginkgo biloba) are called ginkyo (銀杏) and symbolise magnificence, longevity, requiem, strength, hope and peace in hanakotoba. In Western floriography, ginkgo trees symbolise solemnity, longevity and requiem. The beauty and symbolism of the ginkgo tree are valued by many European cultures, who associate it with power, resilience, human progress, enlightenment, and memory enhancement. The ginkgo tree also represents renewal as shows off a magnificent colour display each autumn as it sheds its leaves to sprout new ones. In other Asian cultures, ginkgo trees are highly symbolic of longevity, endurance, resiliency, and hope. The ginkgo's symbolic meaning is said to be derived from the tree’s ability to survive under the harshest conditions as well as its long lifespan. When displayed as a single tree, it stands for strength and solitude. Many of Jujutsu Kaisen's characters embody the Ginkgo's symbolic qualities of strength, power, resilience, renewal, and solemnity. Meanwhile, the tree's symbolic meanings of hope and longevity are contradicted by its brutal motifs and numerous tragic deaths.

-> Hydrangea

“Before my goodwill breaks down, I should have told you everything. In a life where night descends and dissolves, The murky feelings flicker in the dim light.” (Akari, Soushi Sakiyama)

Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) are known as Ajisai (紫陽花) in Japan. Its meanings in traditional hanakotoba are pride, patience, coldness, heartlessness and temperament. Conversely, the flower is also connected with empathy and apology. In Japanese culture, the blossom has both positive and negative connotations, representing both deep or heartfelt emotion in addition to a fickle or changeable heart. In Western floriography, hydrangeas have both negative meanings—such as heartlessness, boastfulness, and coldness—as well as positive meanings—such as sincerity, honesty, gratitude, heartfelt emotions and deep understanding. The hydrangea's symbolic meanings of pride, patience, coldness, heartlessness, temperament, and a fickle or changeable heart correspond to Gojo's character during the Hidden Inventory Arc and Geto's character post-Hidden Inventory Arc. The flower's connotation of deep or heartfelt compassion and empathy corresponds to Geto's character during the Hidden Inventory Arc and Gojo's character after the Hidden Inventory Arc. Hydrangeas are also associated with gratitude, sincere emotions and deep understanding, all of which characterise Gojo and Geto's friendship.

-> Osmanthus

Sweet osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans ) is also known as orange osmanthus, sweet olive, tea olive and fragrant olive. It is known as Kinmokusei (金木犀) in Japan and symbolizes a “humble and noble person” as well as “first love” in hanakotoba. Contrary to its sweet and wonderful fragrance, this plant only produces small, modest flowers, from which it is supposed to draw its symbolism of humility. The reason osmanthus symbolises nobility is supposed to have originated from the way that rain gracefully scatters the flowers without diminishing their fragrance. Osmanthus also symbolizes love, passion and sensuality in Japanese culture. In Western floriography, osmanthus flowers symbolize love, faithfulness, prosperity, happiness, fortune and protection. Orange osmanthus flowers in particular symbolize joy, optimism and serenity. Osmanthus flowers also symbolize honesty, spiritual enlightenment, elegance and beauty. The Osmanthus flower’s meanings of joy, serenity, optimism, happiness, faithfulness and good fortune encapsulate the carefreeness of Gojo and Riko’s school days before the Hidden Inventory Arc. Its symbolic meanings of faithfulness, happiness, purity, beauty and optimism resonate with Riko’s character. While its symbolic meanings of spiritual enlightenment, honesty, elegance, protection, nobility and good fortune resonate with Gojo’s character.

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╰┈➤ Anime Hanakotoba Posts Directory

╰┈➤ JJK OP4 Traditional Symbolism

[I didn't go into much depth here since I wanted to keep things brief—because I know my other posts have been somewhat wordy lately... Please feel free to leave your thoughts and suggestions in the comments section. Also, I added new information that I missed to my "JJK OP4 Traditional Symbolism" post, so check that out if interested.]

If you liked this post, you should check out my other hanakotoba posts… I've created a convenient directory so you can locate them all without having to browse through my entire blog.]

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